world famous around the world for decades, carnival in rio is a truly wild and spectacular five-day celebration, involving millions of people, and permeating every corner of the city, day and night.

held 40 days before easter, carnival officially begins on friday and ends on fat tuesday - however, pre-carnival celebrations may start as early as january, and continue until the sunday after fat tuesday.

immediately after, that wednesday is called ash wednesday, and marks the date after which all bodily pleasures must be abstained from - in fact, the carnival jubilee, with all its lavishness and exuberance is supposed to be the farewell to all pleasures of the flesh.

carnival usually happens in february, the end of summer holidays in brazil but, depending on the year, carnival can also take place in march.